Computer games consoles

From Greenlivingpedia, a wiki on green living, building and energy

Computer games consoles are the high consumers of this personal computer industry, using huge amounts of energy to generate the necessary graphics and sounds.

Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer espouses what the world's largest software company is doing for the environment - but the company's Xbox games console does not rate a mention in this context.

Microsoft have sold 18 million Xbox 360s sold as at March 2008.

Worldwide computer use requires 14 power stations for the necessary electricity, producing more harmful carbon dioxide emissions than the entire airline industry - not including the emissions created and manufacturing and shipping the products.

When played online, games consoles link up to huge server farms which use even more energy.

With each generation of console - we are currently on the seventh - previous platforms are made obsolete by the newest technology. Millions of consoles, games and other accessories are thrown away.[1]

A personal computer setup for gaming with a powerful processor and video cards can have a power supply with a peak load rating of 1kW and consume up to that amount of power.